Purpose

The purpose of this report is to share with Cabinet (and subsequently Full Council) the Wealden Local Plan (Regulation 19) document ahead of its formal consideration at an extraordinary Full Council meeting on 18 September 2026 and its subsequent submission to the Secretary of State (Planning Inspectorate) by 31 December 2026.

Decision

RESOLVED:

To recommend to Full Council:

a)    The Proposed Submission Wealden Local Plan (Appendix 1) be approved for publication for a six-week period for representations in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

b)    The supporting submission documents, including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment and other supporting evidence documents, be approved for publication alongside the Proposed Submission Local Plan.

c)     Authority be delegated to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Environment and the Head of Planning Policy, Economy and Climate Change, to make any necessary minor factual, editorial, formatting, presentational, cartographic or typographical amendments prior to publication.

d)    Approve the publication of the accompanying Local Development Scheme (at Appendix D) that details the timetable for producing the Local Plan and any other associated document.

e)    It be noted that a further report will be brought to Cabinet and Full Council following completion of the Regulation 19 publication period summarising the principal issues raised through representations and seeking authority for submission of the Local Plan and associated documents to the Secretary of State for independent examination.